Chapter 73: Sister of the Black Tower

Xing woke up amid a headache and whole‑body soreness, consciousness feeling like it was sinking in murky water, struggling hard to surface.

She blinked blankly; before her was darkness, and the tip of her nose was filled with the scent of wood.

(This is… where?)

She moved her stiff body and found herself curled up in a cramped space.

She reached out and pushed; a door panel opened with a sound, letting light in.

She clumsily crawled out of a wardrobe, leaning on the door, dazedly surveying her surroundings.

The familiar room layout… it was her room at the Goethe Inn.

But how did she end up sleeping in the wardrobe? And slept with her whole body aching? There seemed to be a faintly painful lump at the corner of her forehead…

As she rubbed her forehead, trying to untangle the chaotic memories, a cool, slightly languid female voice sounded in the room:

"Awake?"

Xing snapped her head around and only then noticed a figure seated on the armchair by the window, though she didn't know when it had appeared.

Against the light, the first thing she saw was that mysteriously alluring Purple Witch Hat.

When her eyes adjusted to the light and she saw the other's face clearly, she involuntarily inhaled a gasp of cold air.

(Heimu, Black Tower Lady?!)

But the next second, she sensed a difference.

Although she possessed a delicately similar face to Black Tower Lady, her long hair was a moonlit gray‑white, loosely draped.

She wore a purple‑black off‑shoulder Lolita Dress, a matching witch hat, a tiny skull pendant hanging at her neck, and her purple‑black eyes, lacking any sparkle, stared calmly at her.

Her aura was mysteriously elegant, yet carried a hint of oppression.

Xing was startled by the silent appearance, instinctively stepping back half a step, nearly tripping over the rug on the floor.

She steadied herself, examined the other closely, and the more she looked, the more familiar she felt, "You… you are… the one at the Space Station who took the Black Tower Doll?!"

Heimu gave a slight nod, acknowledging the previous "chance encounter."

Xing watched her warily, instinctively clenching her fist, "Who exactly are you? Why do you look so much like Black Tower Lady?"

Heimu's lips curled into a playful curve, her body leaning slightly forward, elbow resting on the chair arm, supporting her cheek, voice teasing, "Your guess?"

Xing furrowed her brows, scrutinizing her.

Sisters? Mother‑daughter? Clones?

Countless melodramatic plotlines flashed through her mind.

Finally, the most plausible (?) guess slipped out, "You… you can't be Black Tower's sister, can you!"

Heimu heard that and clearly froze for a moment, a flash of astonishment in her purple‑black eyes.

She hadn't expected the Star Core Essence's mind to jump so uniquely and directly to that conclusion.

Immediately, a barely suppressible smile surged within her chest.

(Sister? Hahaha… this is really amusing!)

Her purple‑black eyes quickly returned to Calm, and she nodded.

"That's right, I am Black Tower's sister."

Her tone carried a calm of "you finally figured it out."

Xing let out an "Oh—" as if she had solved a century‑old mystery.

But immediately another question arose, "But… sister, why did you 'steal' Black Tower Lady's doll?"

She used the word "steal," feeling it was a bit impolite, yet couldn't think of a better term.

Heimu instantly straightened her face, correcting, "Who stole? That's called 'took'! I just haven't seen my willful sister in a long time, wanted to tease her this way, just to get her attention."

She sighed, acting naturally, "After all, back then she ran away in a fit of spite, and we… haven't seen each other in ages."

"I see…"

Xing nodded, showing a "got it" expression.

Since it's someone else's family matter, she didn't feel like judging further.

"So… sister, why are you in Beloberg? Also, why am I…"

She turned back to glance at the wardrobe that had given her back pain, "In the wardrobe?"

Heimu rose gracefully, walked to the window, picked up the Heimu Doll that had been on the nightstand, gently brushed the doll's witch hat, "I'm here to take this back."

Xing's attention was instantly drawn to the doll, and she realized again, "So this doll belongs to you, sister!"

She examined Heimu and sincerely remarked, "I have to say, Black Tower's sister, you do have quite the elegance."

This dark witch‑style attire indeed added a touch more mysterious charm than Black Tower's image.

Heimu shook the doll in her hand, "I originally wanted to give my sister a surprise birthday gift, but…"

She gave Xing a meaning‑laden glance, "I don't know which little creature got it, filmed it early and sent it to her, so the surprise was ruined."

Xing suddenly felt embarrassed, her toes couldn't help but fidget inside her shoes.

(Um… that 'little creature' seems to be me…)

She quickly changed the subject, sincerely praising, "This doll is exquisite! Black Tower… sister, you really have taste!"

Going with the flow, she asked curiously, "So… why did Black Tower Lady run away in a fit of spite back then?"

Heimu looked at Xing, a hint of "are you sure you want to hear?" in her eyes.

Xing immediately nodded vigorously, her face saying "I want to hear! Tell me!"

Heimu sat back down, and in a tone tinged with nostalgia and a hint of sorrow began her impromptu tale, "We have to start from when my silly sister was a child…"

"Yo!"

Xing leaned in excitedly, not expecting to hear Black Tower's Dark History!

"Back then, Black Tower was quite plump, like a glutinous rice dumpling."

Heimu, with an unchanged expression, babbled nonsense, "Your walking is unsteady; if you're not careful you'll tumble down the stairs, 'gulu gulu' rolling down…".

Xing imagined the scene and laughed wildly inside:

(Who would have thought! The imposing Black Tower Lady also has this Dark History!)

Heimu continued to weave the tale passionately: "When she was young it was mainly because… she was a bit insecure. In our family it was just the two of us sisters depending on each other; I was busy for a while… hmm, researching, and neglected caring for her. So she put on a Mask, deliberately pretended she could do anything, knew everything, said unlikable things, actually just to protect herself, fearing others would see her inner fragility. In plain terms, she's an awkward tsundere, outwardly indifferent to everything, but inwardly cares more than anyone."

Xing listened, nodded repeatedly, feeling the analysis was spot‑on!

(No wonder the Black Tower Lady's words are always so aggravating! Turns out it's a protective layer!)

She suddenly felt the Black Tower's image had become much "fuller", even a bit pitiful.

Heimu glanced at Xing's thoughtful expression and added fuel to the fire: "Especially, she's very conscious about her figure."

Xing's gaze subconsciously swept over, silently comparing in his mind, (Hmm… it seems the two sisters indeed share a certain trait…)

"She tried all sorts of methods but none worked, and because of that she was often mocked."

Heimu's voice carried a hint of choking (pretended), "She always bore it alone in silence. Later, finally unable to bear it, she slipped away from home alone, venturing out by herself. When I later learned the reason, it was already too late…"

At that point she even raised her hand, gently wiping nonexistent tears with her fingertips, portraying an over‑regretful sister to the fullest.

Xing looked at the Black Tower's Sister's gloomy, self‑blaming demeanor, and instantly felt sympathy.

(No wonder… behind the Black Tower Lady's glamorous exterior lies such a bitter past… bearing this pain alone while wandering the Star Sea, it's so hard!)

She looked at the Black Tower's Sister with comforting eyes: "Sister… don't be too sad. You've already done your best."

It seems she was completely fooled by this meticulously woven (?) story.

Heimu looked up, with a hint of hope, at Xing: "I heard Aisida say you seem quite familiar with my sister?"

"Yes! Long‑time acquaintances!"

Xing immediately puffed out his chest with pride, "She often asks me to help test that 'Simulated Universe'!"

"I see…"

Heimu seemed determined, speaking sincerely, "Then… could you promise me, next time you see the Black Tower, to give her a… belated hug on my behalf?"

Xing was startled: "Huh? Why, sister, don't you go yourself?"